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Okay boys and girls, the steering wheel report is coming along fine, but we've run into a snag and need your help.

According to a note in the September, 1968 P&A X691A (see attached), all 69 Camaro SS, RS, Z23, Z87 (see note 1 below) and N30 (see note 2 below) cars received a "Deluxe Wheel". All other cars received the "Standard Wheel". The problem is that the note doesn't seem to follow actual observed usages!

It's believed that the "Deluxe" wheel is the steering wheel with the "pebble-graining" between the two grooves cut into the perimeter of the wheel (see example below). "Standard" wheels (and later service replacements) were smooth in this area.

So, if you own an original 1969 Camaro, we would appreciate the following information:

1. Type of car (base, RS, SS, Z28, COPO, etc...)2. VIN of the car3. Build date on the Trim Tag (12A, 03B, 05D, etc...)4. Interior code on the Trim Tag (712, 718, 722, etc...)5. If the car has the "standard Interior", does it have the Z23 option6. Type of steering wheel (Standard "smooth" or Deluxe "pebble-grained") NOTE: The original "pebble-graining" wore off fairly quickly, so a VERY close inspection of the wheel may be required.

Note 1 - Although the note doesn't specifically reference the Z87 Custom Deluxe interior, the Z23 Interior Style Trim Group (referred to in the note as the Interior Decor Package), was included in the Z87 option, therefore the Deluxe wheel would also be used in Z87 cars.

Note 2 - The N30 "Deluxe Steering Wheel" never made it into production for the 1969 model year, so the note may not be completely accurate.

If you want to contact me off fourm or have any questions, please feel free to email me at bertfam@verizon.net

Thnaks, I continue to learn. Looks like i HAVE THE Z23 as well. The deluxe steering wheel with wood insert, wood trim - only on the drivers side of the dash, stainless trim on the pedals, and the grab handle on the passenger side. Should I be looking for anything else?

Thnaks, I continue to learn. Looks like i HAVE THE Z23 as well. The deluxe steering wheel with wood insert, wood trim - only on the drivers side of the dash, stainless trim on the pedals, and the grab handle on the passenger side. Should I be looking for anything else?

It's starting to look like the note in the P&A is correct, but so far we haven't heard from anyone with a smooth wheel.

Non-SS, non-RS, non-Z87 and non-Z23 cars "should" be smooth. Anyone out there with a base car without Z22, Z23 or Z87? (I would assume base Z28 and COPO cars would also fit this catagory). We need your input as well.

The pebble grain wheel was the standard wheel used on all models. The wood grain shroud as been stated was used when the car was optioned with Z87 or Z23. I have looked at hundreds of original cars and they all came with pebble grain rims. Some were worn almost smooth due to wear, but there were remnants of pebble grain. The smooth rim started in 1970 and used on chevelles and other cars. Could some very late cars have them possibly, but the pebble grain wheel is correct for 1969 at least that has been my finding.

The Nov 68 Canadian parts manual lists the 3939731-735 part #'s, but not the others.

Also confirmed that there is only one set of steering wheel broadcast codes used during 69. That is, there was only one standard wheel of each color in the system. If there were different versions, they were considered interchangeable.

My 05C NOR Z23 SS396 has a smooth wheel. Could have been changed, but it's cracked and the rest of the interior is original.

Okay, so now it does appear the note in the parts book is wrong since Kurt and Bill have both reported smooth wheels and both are SS cars. Apparently, it's starting to look like the smooth wheel and the pebble grain wheel were used simultaniously? At least from the 02B date.

I know this thread is quite old but thought you might still be interested in this info.

'69 RS L6512437 9N62660771304ADeluxe interior- full woodgrain & passenger side dash handle, bright pedal trim, console, dash mounted clock, courtesy lights, and under hood light. This car also has the hand painted stripes over the wheel openings.I've looked very closely and can find no trace of a pebble finish, maybe because of the late build going into April of 1969?Is there any info you could use that I left out?

Also, I have a '69 Chevelle SS. It also had the grained, textured wheel (01A build date, Kansas). I purchased a reproduction wheel for it and was puzzled why it was smooth as both the Z and the SS had textured wheels. All makes some sense now.

Based on the 21 work days in August '69, and the number of cars produced during Aug, the avg daily rate was 435/day.. assuming a single 8 hr shift that month, 196/435 ~ 3.6 hrs difference on the line...

Correct me if I am wrong but isn't the "pebble-grained" steering wheel that you are refering to and what GM refers to as the "grip assist" steering wheel the same? This should be included in the z23 option unless the wood grain wheel was ordered. Are you trying to document the factory's build accuracy as related to this option package?

I have Two cars that have their original wheels. I believe my 307 car has the N30 after I describe the interior, you judge. This car has some unusual options for a base model like U17,M20,U73,U80,N44,D55,D90,U35,U63,U25-26-27-28-29 aux. lighting. Anyway her goes:1)Base Coupe LF7 3072)19N6284033)3E4)7115)NO Z23-No dash assist-pedal bright trim-does have wood-grain on headlight sw. and radio and console and steering wheel.6)pebble grain with wood-grain insert in center-and yes, this is original I have owned since 1985 car is virtually untouched w/original paint,wheels etc..

I maintain that I don't think it's a mystery. The "pebble grain" is simply the "assist grip" steering wheel included in the Z23 "special interior" option and the Z23 option is included in the Z87 "custom interior" option. Any car with the Z23 or Z87 option should have the "pebble grain" steering wheel unless ordered wit the N34 "wood grained plastic sport" steering wheel.

If I am incorrect please explain the difference between a "standard" and an "assist grip" steering wheel.

I am not sure if I got everyone and a couple I had to put a question mark, because they didn't give enough info if the car had the Z23 option or not. Maybe they can update the info when they see there cars build date with a ? by it. Anyways here ya go:Smooth:11B Z23 RS/SS11D no Base convertible02B ? SS convertible03D ? Z/2804A Z87 RS04A Z87 RS05C no Z2808C Z23 09C no X44base coupe

Thanks for summating the data! I added Vince's data below.I do not see a pattern - seems like there different suppliers or different molds and the parts were used interchangeably. Interesting that there are not many smooth wheels out there...

I am not sure if I got everyone and a couple I had to put a question mark, because they didn't give enough info if the car had the Z23 option or not. Maybe they can update the info when they see there cars build date with a ? by it.